WP Engine to Webflow: A Solution to the WordPress Drama

WP Engine is one of the largest hosting options for WordPress sites. WP is the largest CMS in the world. The beef? In short, WP Engine got some big no-nos from WordPress owners, and now sites hosted on WPEngine are cut off from all future updates, risking security and scalability.

Enter Webflow, a solution that has integrated hosting. But before we explore it, let’s see what the fuss is all about.

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The Current WordPress Drama

In a dramatic turn, WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg initiated legal action against WP Engine, accusing the company of violating WordPress trademarks and failing to sufficiently support the ecosystem. As a result, WP Engine was banned from accessing WordPress.org, severely limiting its customers' ability to perform critical plugin and theme updates. 

This move has created significant frustration among users and raised concerns within the WordPress community about the growing centralization and control Automattic exercises, which threatens the platform's decentralized, open-source foundation.

This conflict leaves businesses questioning their reliance on WordPress and exploring alternatives like Webflow for stability and independence.

Why Migrate to Webflow from WPEngine?

Webflow's all-in-one platform offers an efficient, code-free way to build and maintain websites without the complications of third-party hosting or plugins.

• Integrated hosting, no drama – Webflow’s hosting is built-in, removing the need for external providers like WP Engine, which means no disruptions from third-party conflicts or legal issues.
• No-code/low-code design – Webflow’s visual builder lets users create fully customized websites without needing to write code, reducing development time and complexity.
• Full control without plugins – Webflow comes equipped with built-in functionalities, giving you complete control over your site without relying on plugins that may cause compatibility or security issues.
• Simplified site maintenance – Webflow automatically applies updates, ensuring your website remains secure and functional without the need for manual plugin updates or maintenance.
• Powerful CMS – Webflow’s CMS is as robust as WordPress, allowing for dynamic content, collections, and full customization without requiring plugins.
• Easier Scalability – Webflow scales easily with your business, offering solutions for growth.
• Ideal for Marketers – Marketers can quickly launch landing pages and campaigns without developer involvement after everything is set up in the CMS and Webflow Designer.

Who Is Webflow Not For?

While Webflow is overall the excellent alternative to WPEngine because it offers integrated hosting, there are also several considerations if you think about switching to Webflow.

• E-commerce limitations – Webflow is ideal for small stores, especially those selling digital products, but it lacks the advanced e-commerce capabilities of WordPress (via WooCommerce) for managing large-scale or highly complex stores.
• Not open source – Unlike WordPress, Webflow is a closed platform. While this offers better control and security, it limits how much the community can participate in the platform’s customization—much like the Apple vs. Android debate, where Apple's closed system offers stability but less freedom.
• Smaller community – Webflow’s community is smaller than WordPress’s, but still active, offering valuable tutorials and resources.

How to Migrate from WPEngine to Webflow

Migrating from WPEngine to Webflow is not a difficult process, but it does require Webflow experts to pull out and see positive results. It all comes down to the following steps.

1. Evaluate your site’s structure – Review your existing WordPress website, identifying key pages, posts, and dynamic content for seamless replication in Webflow.
2. Rebuild the design in Webflow – Use Webflow's visual builder to recreate your site's layout or design a fresh look, ensuring it aligns with your brand.
3. Transfer content – Export WordPress content (posts, pages, media) and import it into Webflow’s CMS Collections.
4. Set up SEO and redirects – Implement 301 redirects to preserve SEO rankings from your WordPress site.
5. Test and launch – Conduct thorough testing before migrating your site to Webflow’s hosting environment for launch.

Final Thoughts

Migrating from WP Engine to Webflow offers a streamlined, stable solution for businesses seeking ease of use, integrated hosting, and a powerful CMS.

If you're considering a migration, Flow Ninja can help you assess whether Webflow is the right fit for your business needs. Schedule a consultation with us to explore the benefits and ensure a smooth transition to this robust platform.

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